Digi XBee® Mobile is an iOS and Android compatible app for connecting and configuring Digi XBee3 devices using their new onboard Bluetooth. If you are familiar with Digi XCTU, you will immediately have a comfort level with the mobile version, which provides the same functionality.

All Digi XBee3 modules are ready to run Bluetooth. Those with a PCB or Chip antenna require no further components. U.FL modules require an external 2.4 GHz antenna. RF Pad modules expect to be connected to an antenna at the board level. Digi XBee3 Cellular modems require connecting an external 2.4 GHz Bluetooth antenna, in addition to the cellular LTE antenna normally used. Bluetooth can function even without these antennas, however range will be greatly reduced, so this is not recommended.

Activate Bluetooth

Before using the XBee Mobile App, you’ll want to activate Bluetooth on your Digi XBee3 and assign it a password using the XCTU application on a Windows, MacOS or Linux computer.

Set up XCTU

Mount an XBee3 radio onto the XBIB evaluation board and connect it to the computer.

Launch XCTU and add a module, using the icon with the plus sign in the upper left, then selecting the appropriate port and baud rate.

Digi XBee3 module added to XCTU

Click on the radio module in the left column to select it. The module’s configuration will be displayed in the right column.

Scroll down to the Bluetooth Options section to configure Bluetooth settings.

Digi XBee3 Bluetooth Options in XCTU

Set BTBluetooth Enable to “Enabled (1)” and click the pencil icon to save that change to the radio module.

If a Bluetooth password has not been set, you will automatically be asked to configure it.

Bluetooth password dialog in XCTU

The Configure Bluetooth Authentication screen is displayed. Enter a secure password for Basic configuration and click OK to complete the setup.

Configure Bluetooth authentication in XCTU

Your Digi XBee3 radio module now has Bluetooth activated and will allow secure connections from the XBee Mobile application. You can leave the XBIB evaluation board connected to the computer for power, or change to a portable USB battery power supply to go fully wireless.

Install the XBee Mobile App

The XBee Mobile application is a free download for both Android and iOS. Download it onto your tablet or smartphone and launch the app to continue. Be sure to review the XBee Mobile App documentation.

Once the app is installed with your XBee3 radio module powered on, you’re ready to connect.

Connecting to XBee3

When you start the XBee Mobile app, it will search for all nearby Bluetooth-enabled XBee3 radio modules.

Searching for devices

Tap on your XBee3 to select it. Enter the password you configured during the XCTU setup.

Password screen

When you have entered the correct password, the XBee3 device configuration categories will be displayed. Notice that the module is identified by only its MAC address; the Name field is blank by default.

XBee device configuration

Using the XBee Mobile App

Entering a new setting is very easy. Let’s give the XBee3 a real name, so we can label it in a human-friendly fashion. For example, in a municipal street lighting application, we might give it a label like “Streetlight 476”. Tap the Addressing category to see the current setup. Scroll down to Node Identifier, which is blank by default. Tap on this field to enter new text, typing in “Streetlight 476”. Tap the Write button once you are done.

Addressing settings, modifyingNode Identifier

Write the changed setting

Node Identifier saved

The information you entered in Node Identifier was saved to the XBee3. It can be displayed in addition to the radio module’s MAC address, making it easier to identify it wirelessly when many others are present. You will see this Node Identifier displayed inside the XBee Mobile application as “Name: Streetlight 476″.

NH maximum hops help text

Tap Options at the top right of the screen to display various read/write commands for this category, as well as some basic control functions. For now, just tap Cancel and then tap < Back at the top left of the screen to return to the Device Informationpage. Tapping Options here shows just the basic control functions. Tap Disconnect to end your session.

Options for current category

Options for whole device

Confirm disconnection

Useful Settings

There are a lot of settings to choose from. In many applications the factory defaults will be optimal. It’s best to change only what you need to, though don’t be afraid to experiment within your test environment. It’s a great way to learn.

Here are some you might want to look at first, since they are more frequently customized:

Sleeping the radio module will save energy, battery life and therefore also save money (Sleep Modes category). MicroPython scripts allow intelligent decision making to occur onboard the XBee3 module, if you launch them automatically (MicroPython Options, PSMicroPython Autostart). See our series of MicroPython posts for more information.

In the field you can activate one Zigbee radio module to be a coordinator (Networking category, CE Device Role), request serial join verification notices (Networking, JV Join Verification) and see various diagnostic information, including the internal temperature (Diagnostic Commands, TP Temperature). And there’s plenty more.

Summary

This tutorial guided you through using the Digi XBee Mobile App to connect with and configure a Digi XBee3 device over Bluetooth. You searched for and connected to an XBee3 radio module, viewed basic information, listed various configuration categories, changed several firmware settings and saw how to remotely reset the module.

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